Quantum leap for cruise line with new ship

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas will enter service this November from New York before relocating to Asia next year.Photo by
Meyer Werft

Royal Caribbean (royalcaribbean.com) passed another major milestone last week as their newest megaship, Quantum of the Seas, was successfully floated out from the construction hall at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany where she is currently being built.

Although not as big as the line’s massive sisters Oasis and Allure of the Seas, Quantum of the Seas can still very much hold her own: at 167,800 GRT, she will carry 4,180 passengers when she sets sail this fall.

Royal Caribbean’s latest-and-greatest is all about attractions, both big and small. One of her most obvious physical features will be the addition of the North Star, a London Eye-esque observation pod situated on a hydraulic arm just aft of the ship’s radar mast. From here, guests will be able to go for a unique airborne journey up and over the side of their ship.

Inside, Royal Caribbean has also developed a special entertainment complex called the “SeaPlex” — a multi-function room that has everything from bumper cars (a first at sea) to basketball. Other diversions include the ‘RipCord by iFly’ skydiving simulator, which promises to simulate the feel of a true parachute jump.

Royal Caribbean is also rolling out a first for those looking to maximize their vacation dollars but who still want something of a view: certain inside staterooms will feature “virtual balconies” — literally an 82-inch television screen integrated into the wall of the stateroom that projects real-time images of the sea captured from cameras located on the ship.

Quantum of the Seas sets sail on her maiden transatlantic crossing from Southampton, England on November 2, 2014, arriving eight nights later in New York. From there, she will offer a series of cruises that vary in length to the Bahamas and the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean did stir up a bit of controversy recently when they announced that Quantum, the most anticipated vessel since the 2009 launch of Oasis of the Seas, would be redeployed to Asia in May of 2015 following her maiden season in the United States, where she will be based out of the Cape Liberty cruise terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey. Beginning late June 2015, Quantum of the Seas will sail three- to eight-night itineraries year-round from Shanghai to Japan and Korea.

“Consumers in China have grown to expect the best the world has to offer, and Quantum of the Seas meets that standard like no other ship,” said Adam Goldstein, President and COO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We are ready to accelerate the growth of this vital market with a ship that will capture the imagination of travellers looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation experience.”

Visit fromthedeckchair.com for the latest cruise news and live voyage reports.

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